# Function problem (1 Viewer)

### Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

#### asdf1

there's an example question in a book i'm studying
(2*x to the 3rd power +y to the 3rd power)dx-3x*y to the 2nd power*dy=0"
i have the steps to the solution but i don't know why the problem is solved in thosed steps. Can someone explain?
p.s.
can someone recommend a good book for math for someone in a physics major?

#### Nylex

What exactly are you meant to be solving for? Show the steps you have..

#### HallsofIvy

(2x3+ y3)dx- 3xy2dy= 0

This is a first order differential equation. It's almost exact since (2x3+ y3)y= 3y2 while (-3xy2)x= -3y2, differing only in the sign. Such an equation always has an "integrating factor"- a function such that, if you multiply the entire equation by the function the equation becomes exact but there is no general way of finding that integrating factor.

Here, because the terms involve only powers of x and y, I decided to try an integrating factor of the form xnym. Then the test for exactness becomes (2x3+nym+ xny3+m)y= 2mx3+nym-1+(3+m)xny2+m= (-3x1+ny2+m)x= -3(1+n)xny2+m.

That is, we must have 2mx3+nym-1+(3+m)xny2+m= -3(1+n)xny2+m.
The second term on the left has the same powers as the right but we need to get rid of the first term- OK, take m= 0! That "kills" the first term and to make the terms left equal we need to have 3+m= -3(1+n) or 3= -3(1+n) since m=0. That gives
1+n= -1 or n= -2.

Let's try that: multiplying (2x3+ y3)dx- 3xy2dy= 0
by x-2 gives (2x+ x-2y3)dx- 3x-1y2dy= 0.
(2x+ x-2y3)y= 3x-2y2 and
(-3x-1y2)x= 3x-2y2.
Yes!! Those are the same so this equation is exact.

That MEANS that there exist some function, F(x,y), such that dF= (2x+ x-2y3)dx- 3x-1y2dy or, same thing, that
Fx= 2x+ x-2y3and Fy= - 3x-1y2 (you might remember that from multi-variable calculus).

Since Fx= 2x+ x-2y3, taking the anti-derivative (with respect to x), F(x,y)= x2- x-1y3+ g(y).
(The partial derivative with respect to x treats y like a constant. Taking the "anti-derivative" we treat y like a constant so that "constant of integration" may be any function of y.)

From that, Fy= -3x-1y2+ g'(y) and that must be equal to - 3x-1y2 . Comparing the two, that tells us that g'(y)= 0 or that g really is a constant.

IF F(x,y)= x2- x-1y3+ C, for any constant C, then
dF=(2x+ x-2y3)dx- 3x-1y2dy = 0. Since dF= 0, F is actually a constant: F(x,y)= x2- x-1y3+ C= C' where C' is also a constant, not necessarily equal to C. Since subtracting C from C' will still be an unknown constant, we can just write that as "C" and have
x2- x-1y3= C as the general solution to the differential equation.

#### qbert

Another line of reasoning is:
(2x3+ y3)dx- 3xy2dy= 0

looking at the differential equation we see that it is
homogeneous (F(tx, ty) = tnF(x,y)). In this case,
each of the terms has degree 3.
So let's do a change of variables y = vx.

(2x3 + (vx)3)dx - 3x(vx)2(vdx + xdv) = 0
which gives us

x3( (2+v3) - 3v2(v + xv')) = 0
2 + v3 - 3v3 - 3xv2v' = 0
2(1 - v3) - x 3v2 v' = 0

which is seperable:
2 (dx/x) = 3v2 dv/(1 - v3)

2 d(ln(x)) + d( ln(1-v3)) = 0
2 ln(x) + ln(1-v3) = C'

ln( x2(1-v3) ) = C'
x2(1-v3) = C

switching back to y:
x2(1- (y/x)3) = C
x2- x-1y3 = C

as before.

Last edited:

#### asdf1

How do you know to make the change of variables y = vx?

#### HallsofIvy

qbert said:
looking at the differential equation we see that it is
homogeneous (F(tx, ty) = tnF(x,y)). In this case,
each of the terms has degree 3.
So let's do a change of variables y = vx.
That's a standard substitution for homogeneous equations. The point is that in a homogeneous equation we can always rewrite the equation so x and y only appear as $$\frac{y}{x}$$.

I missed that- qbert's solution is much simpler than mine!

Last edited by a moderator:

#### asdf1

but why would someone think of to make that substitution?

### The Physics Forums Way

We Value Quality
• Topics based on mainstream science
• Proper English grammar and spelling
We Value Civility
• Positive and compassionate attitudes
• Patience while debating
We Value Productivity
• Disciplined to remain on-topic
• Recognition of own weaknesses
• Solo and co-op problem solving